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Critical Studies in Private Law

A Treatise on Need-Rational Principles in Modern Law

  • Book
  • © 1992

Overview

Authors:
  1. Thomas Wilhelmsson

    1. Department of Private Law, University of Helsinki, Finland

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Part of the book series: Law and Philosophy Library (LAPS, volume 16)

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
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  2. Introduction

    • Thomas Wilhelmsson
    Pages 1-20

  3. “General Principles” as the Primary Object of Alternative Studies

    • Thomas Wilhelmsson
    Pages 21-50

  4. Goals: New Elements in a Contract Law of the Welfare State

    • Thomas Wilhelmsson
    Pages 51-79

  5. On the Juridical Roles of Contract Law

    • Thomas Wilhelmsson
    Pages 80-100

  6. The Concrete Legal Material — A Finnish Example

    • Thomas Wilhelmsson
    Pages 101-145

  7. Towards Need-Oriented General Principles

    • Thomas Wilhelmsson
    Pages 146-179

  8. Social Force Majeure

    • Thomas Wilhelmsson
    Pages 180-216

  9. Effects of an Alternative Doctrine

    • Thomas Wilhelmsson
    Pages 217-229

  10. Back Matter

    Pages 230-257
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Keywords

About this book

Critical Studies in Private Law discusses the prerequisites and possibilities for an alternative or critical legal dogmatics. The starting point of the analysis is the recognition of contradictions within the legal order. In this respect the theory may use the experience of both American Critical Legal Studies and the German attempts to formulate a legal theory for the social state. The key for understanding how the contradictory concrete legal material may produce varying results on the level of legal decisions is the systematization, the general principles of the law.
The analysis does not, however, stop at this theoretical level. The methodology is tested through a discussion of some features of modern private law. Some key elements of contract law, including consumer law, of the Welfare State are singled out. The work focuses on the person-orientation of modern law as a challenge to the traditional abstract legal form. The aim is to explore the limits for a contract law radically oriented towards the personal social and economic needs of the parties. This endeavour involves the creation of new legal concepts such as social force majeure.

Reviews

'....the book is a strikingly original examination of private law, informed by prodigious learning, and the arguments are developed in a persuasive, scholarly fashion. For scholars interested in contract law in particular, this is a book not to be missed at any price.' Journal of Consumer Policy 17 1994

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Private Law, University of Helsinki, Finland

    Thomas Wilhelmsson

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